“Basic research has led to technological revolutions”

Pablo Jarillo-Herrero, Professor of Physics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), looks back on his scientific career and the discovery of superconductivity in magic-angle twisted bilayer graphene. This breakthrough opened up a new field of research into the properties of two-dimensional materials and earned him the 2020 Medal of the Royal Spanish Physics Society–BBVA Foundation. He explains the implications of these systems for understanding the behaviour of quantum matter and their potential applications in fields such as computing, ultrasensitive detectors and flexible electronics.

He also reflects on the importance of supporting basic research, the role of curiosity and risk-taking in major scientific advances, and the keys to leading diverse teams by giving younger researchers autonomy and responsibility. Pablo Jarillo-Herrero has also received the 18th Frontiers of Knowledge Award in the Basic Sciences category, jointly with Allan MacDonald.